During a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on water resources, it was stated by the secretary water resources Dr. Shahzeb Khan Bangash that civil work on hydropower projects has been temporarily paused since the attack on Chinese engineers in July this year. He said negotiations with the Chinese government are under way. An advance payment of 4.5 billion was also decided to be delivered to the contractor of Dasu dam.
Chairman IRSA highlighted that Punjab was facing a shortage of 34 percent water in the Chashma right bank canal. A member of the IRSA from KP countered with the fact that there are reasons for the water shortage including cleaning of the main canal. Also the Punjab border starts after 80 kms which increases the chances of losses.
Khawaja Shiraz was against taking control of Chashma Bank Canal away from Wapda and giving it to provinces as was decided in the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
He said, “If control of Chashma Right Bank Canal is transferred to provinces, it would be unfair as my area would be totally deprived of water,”
Chairman WAPDA informed that both the provinces (KP and Punjab) were looking forward to take control of the canal and that if this has not been done then the CCI should be approached. Punjab is being given the control of its part of the canal and the agreement is just about to be finalized. Member IRSA Sindh, Zahid Hussain Junejo complained that water is not being provided to Sindh as per the Sindh Water Accord because of the 35 and 60 Percent shortage of supply witnessed by Guddu Barrage and Kotri Barrage respectively but the stance was negated by chairman IRSA as he said that water was being distributed among the provinces according to the accord.
